American Boy
Juliette & The Licks Lyrics


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The land of plenty is the land of privilege
For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy
You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist
But your argument has been bought and paid for

American boy

So flex that corporate muscle with your media circle jerks
While you sell out humanity
ADHD, OCD, social anxiety
It's money baby!

Hey!
You're pushing me
Hey!
I'm pushing you
No rhyme or reason
Watch your television

Hey!
You're pushing me
Hey!
I'm pushing you
No rhyme or reason
Watch your television

Frat boys and military toys
All I see is white noise
With your pussy collection and your simple minds
I never knew tits could sell so many cars
And you fucking debutantes with your skin-flicks
What the fuck's the matter with you?
Gloss up your lips, Show us your tits




All for your fifteen minutes of nothin'
I just gotta laugh at you

Overall Meaning

The song "American Boy" by Juliette and the Licks is a critique of American culture and society. The lyrics express the idea that the United States is a country of plenty and privilege, particularly for white Americans. The song calls out the hypocrisy and shallowness of American culture, pointing out the ways in which it is dominated by corporate power, media manipulation, and consumerism.


The opening lines of the song set the tone for the critique: "The land of plenty is the land of privilege / For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy." By using the term "blue-eyed," the song emphasizes the idea that white Americans are the ones who benefit most from the country's wealth and status. The next lines reference the anger and frustration felt by many Americans, but suggests that this anger is misplaced or co-opted by those in power: "You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist / But your argument has been bought and paid for."


The chorus of the song, repeated several times, emphasizes the power of media and consumer culture in shaping American society: "Hey! You're pushing me / Hey! I'm pushing you / No rhyme or reason / Watch your television." The verses critique specific aspects of American culture, such as frat culture, military culture, and the objectification of women's bodies in advertising and film.


Overall, the song "American Boy" is a searing critique of American culture and its emptiness and shallowness. It suggests that American society has been co-opted by corporate power and consumerism, and that this has led to the erosion of real social and political values.


Line by Line Meaning

The land of plenty is the land of privilege
America is a country of abundance and opportunity, but it comes with its own privileges.


For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy
White Americans have a lot of cultural advantages that they take for granted.


You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist
You’re upset and angry, but you’re not sure why.


But your argument has been bought and paid for
Your opinions and beliefs have been influenced by the people who control the media and the government.


So flex that corporate muscle with your media circle jerks
Use your power to control public opinion through media, even if it means you’re betraying the whole society.


While you sell out humanity
You are willing to sacrifice your values and humanity for a good profit.


ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, It's money baby!
Pharmaceutical corporations invent new conditions and sell drugs to make money from people’s miseries.


Frat boys and military toys
People who like to party and militarism culture are just a noise.


All I see is white noise
All that comes from those people is a repetitive nonsense.


With your pussy collection and your simple minds
You value women only as objects of sexual desire and you’re intellectually lazy.


I never knew tits could sell so many cars
You’re amazed at how easily consumers can be manipulated into buying a product by a simple sensuous appeal.


And you fucking debutantes with your skin-flicks
You disrespect and objectify women by encouraging them to perform in degrading, erotic movies


What the fuck's the matter with you?
Why are you acting so damn ridiculous?


Gloss up your lips, Show us your tits, All for your fifteen minutes of nothin'
Women who show off their nudity and sexuality in media only receive temporary fame but end up with nothing.


I just gotta laugh at you
You’re ridiculous and pitiful, and the only thing Juliette can do is to laugh at your antics.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: III PAUL, JULIETTE LEWIS, KEMBLE WALTERS, PATTY SCHEMEL, TODD MORSE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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